July 10 is National Lineworker Appreciation Day

Today, we want to say thank you to the lineworkers who keep our lights on and our homes powered every day. Our lineworkers do essential, dangerous, and often difficult work. They maintain and improve Oshawa’s local power grid, restore power under dangerous conditions during and after extreme weather, and help keep our community safe.

To celebrate National Lineworker Appreciation Day, we talked to some of our lineworkers about their jobs, their most memorable moments, and what it means to play an essential part in the foundation of our local community.

What inspired you to become a lineworker?

“When I was young, I remember seeing lineworkers up in bucket trucks and thinking it was the most badass job in the world. It seemed so exciting. I wanted to do something important like that when I grew up.”

“I love being outside and doing work with my hands. Linework lets me do both, and I get to help people every day. It feels good.”

“It seemed like the most exciting job around. Working up high, using big equipment, and helping others. It’s everything I hoped it would be.”

What is the most challenging part of your job?

“The weather is probably the hardest part. We have to work in rain, snow, heat, and cold. Even when the weather is terrible, people need power.”

“Learning about the new SmartGrid has been challenging. It’s a system that can automatically fix some problems. It’s very advanced, and we need to keep learning to ensure we get the most out of it.”

“Planning jobs carefully to keep everyone safe and productive is tough. Every job has many steps, and it’s important we get each one right.”

How do you prepare for working in bad weather?

“Good clothing is very important. I wear layers in the winter and drink lots of water in the summer. Being ready helps us stay safe and do our jobs well.”

“Lots of coffee helps, especially when it’s cold. I always pack extra gloves and socks because staying warm in the bucket can be tough.”

“Making sure we have the right gear like warm boots, waterproof coats, and extra clothes in the truck is important. We have to be prepared for anything.”

What is something most people don’t know about your job?

“Our job can be very dangerous. We always follow strict safety rules. Even small mistakes can cause serious injuries, so safety always comes first.”

“Restoring power can take longer than people expect. We don’t just flip a switch. We have to find the problem, fix damaged parts, and make sure everything is safe before turning the power back on.”

“We do a lot of driving in big trucks. People might not realize how careful we have to be when driving through traffic and tight spaces. Safe driving is a big part of the job.”

What is a job or outage that you’ll never forget?

“The ice storm in 1998 was unforgettable. We worked long hours, day and night. Trees and power lines were everywhere. It was tough work, but people in the community showed their thanks. That made it easier.”

“Going to the U.S. after a hurricane to help was something I’ll always remember. Seeing families who had lost so much and being able to help was powerful. They were so grateful for what we did and the way our industry banded together across borders was inspiring.”

“Helping build the electrical system for the Northwoods Business Park was special. I felt proud because it was not only a difficult job, but it will help grow our community.”

How does it feel knowing your work helps power your own community?

“It feels really good. Sometimes we miss holidays or special moments with our own families to help others. But when people stop to thank us, it means a lot. It makes the hard parts worth it.”

“There’s pride in driving around and seeing lights on, knowing we helped make that happen. It feels great knowing our work helps people in our own town.”

What is one message you would like to share with our customers across Oshawa?

“Please slow down and give us room when you see us working on the road. We want to get home safely, too.”

“Move over when you see our trucks. Your patience helps protect us and keeps everyone safe.”

To our lineworkers: THANK YOU!

Your hard work and dedication keep our community strong. Everyone at Oshawa Power, and everyone in our community, appreciate the work you do to keep the lights on across our city.